Investigation number
198200015
Occurrence date
Location
Augathella
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

At the end of an uneventful flight from Morven the sole passenger disembarked and watched while the pilot restarted the engine and commenced to taxy. The passenger next observed the aircraft when it was about 30 ft above the ground after take-off. At this time the aircraft was steeply banked to the left and shortly after it passed from sight the engine noise ceased and the sound of trees breaking was heard. The wreckage of the aircraft was subsequently located at the threshold of another of the aerodrome strips. It was determined that the aircraft had collided with trees while it was in a left wing down attitude before rolling inverted and striking the ground. The precise cause of the accident could not be determined, however the possibility that the right wing flap was jammed in the fully down position after the previous landing could not be discounted.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-30
Registration
VH-DGW
Operation type
Charter
Departure point
Augathella QLD
Departure time
1450
Destination
Charleville QLD
Damage
Destroyed